Acharya Kripalani Biography
Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani who was popularly known as Acharya Kripalani was born on November 11, 1888 in the Sind district of Hyderabad. He was famous for his contribution to Indian politics both in the pre and post Independence era. He was also the President of Indian National Congress when the country attained independence from the British.
With roots in Sindh and Gujarat, Acharya Kripalani completed his education from Fergusson College in Bombay with a MA degree in History and Economics. He then started academic teaching from 1912 at different places till 1927 before becoming involved in India’s freedom movement. It was during his days at Gujarat Vidyapeeth, when he was popularly named as “Acharya”
A true follower of Gandhi, Acharya Kripalani worked for Gandhi’s ashrams in Gujarat and Maharashtra and later in Bihar and the United Provinces in northern India. He was the first to contact Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) after the latter returned from South Africa in 1917.
As a dedicated nationalist, Kripalani, was also imprisoned few times He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952, 1957, 1963 and 1967. However, he resigned from the Congress in 1951 and from the Praja Socialist Party after 3 years. Apart from being a critic of Nehru’s policies and administrative decisions, Acharya Kripalani gradually turned out to be a spiritual leader of the socialists, teaming up with Vinoba Bhave.
On March 19, 1982, he died at the age of 94.
Facts and Information about Acharya Kripalani
| Full Name | Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani |
| Nick Name | Acharya Kripalani |
| Born | 11 November 1888 in Hyderabad |
| Died | 19-Mar-82 |
| Father | Kaka Bhagwandas, a revenue and judical officer (Tahsildar) |
| Wife | Sucheta Kripalani |
| Sister | Kikiben |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician, and teacher |
| Know For | Contribution to the Indian Independence Movement |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Education | Graduation from Fergusson College, Pune |
| Contact with Gandhi Ji | Kripalani first met Gandhiji during the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 |
| Congress leader | Kripalani became a member of the All India Congress Committee, and in 1928-29 became its General Secretary. He actively participated in Salt Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement. He became the President of Indian National Congress in 1946-1947. In 1951 he resigned from the INC. |
| Founders of the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party | Kripalani left the Congress and founded Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party, which later on merged with the Socialist Party of India to form the Praja Socialist Party. |
| 1961 Candidacy | In October 1961, Kripalani contested the Lok Sabha seat of V. K. Krishna Menon. |
